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Gis analyst education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a gis analyst. Gis analysts usually study geography, environmental science, or geology. 73% of gis analysts hold a bachelor's degree, and 15% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 4,480 real gis analyst resumes to see exactly what gis analyst education sections show.
The most common colleges for gis analysts are the Texas State University and the Texas State University.
There are also many online gis analyst courses to help get the education required to be a gis analyst.
There are certain gis analyst certifications that you should consider. These gis analyst certifications include Geographic Information Systems Professional (GISP) and GIAC Information Security Professional (GISP).
What education do you need to become a gis analyst?
What degree do you need to be a gis analyst?
- Bachelor's, 73%
- Master's, 15%
- Associate, 7%
- Diploma, 1%
- Other Degrees, 4%
What should I major in to become a gis analyst?
Most common colleges for gis analysts
| Gis analyst common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Texas State University | 12.80% |
| University of Maryland - College Park | 9.83% |
| Pennsylvania State University | 6.68% |
| Arizona State University | 6.12% |
| Texas A&M University | 5.01% |
Best majors for gis analysts
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Geography | 50.1% |
| 2 | Environmental Science | 11.2% |
| 3 | Geology | 7.6% |
| 4 | Business | 3.5% |
| 5 | Computer Science | 3.4% |
Best colleges for gis analysts
The best colleges for gis analysts are Northwestern University, Johns Hopkins University, and University of California, Berkeley.
A gis analyst with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for gis analysts. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become gis analysts.
1. University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$14,184
Enrollment
30,845
2. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$9,808
Enrollment
13,990
3. University of Washington
Seattle, WA • Private
In-state tuition
$11,207
Enrollment
30,905
4. North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$9,101
Enrollment
23,708
5. University of California - Davis
Davis, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$14,402
Enrollment
30,698
6. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN • Private
In-state tuition
$14,760
Enrollment
31,451
7. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$55,695
Enrollment
6,596
8. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
9. Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$18,454
Enrollment
40,108
10. Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH • Private
In-state tuition
$55,453
Enrollment
4,312
20 best online courses for gis analysts
Advertising disclosure
1. Software Engineering Immersive (Full-time)
Meet the global demand for technical problem-solvers by developing your coding skills to create full-stack web applications across multiple frameworks, incorporating functionality from third-party APIs, executing software engineering projects in an Agile development workflow, and more...
2. Data Analysis Immersive (Full-time)
Learn to problem solve, and effectively communicate, like an analyst. This course teaches you to use industry-standard tools to make ethical, data-driven decisions. Experience hands-on training to master SQL, Excel, Tableau, PowerBI, and Python – tools listed in virtually every data analytics job posting across industries...
3. Data Analyst
Use Python, SQL and Statistics to advance your programming skills and refine your ability to work with messy, complex datasets...
4. Programming for Data Science with R
Prepare for a data science career by learning the fundamental data programming tools: R, SQL, command line, and git...
5. Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Knowledge of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is an increasingly sought after skill in industries from agriculture to public health. This Specialization, offered in partnership with ArcGIS developer Esri, will teach the skills you need to successfully use GIS software in a professional setting. You will learn how to analyze your spatial data, use cartography techniques to communicate your results in maps, and collaborate with peers in GIS and GIS-dependent fields. In the final Capstone...
6. Fundamentals of GIS
Explore the world of spatial analysis and cartography with geographic information systems (GIS). In this class you will learn the basics of the industry’s leading software tool, ArcGIS, during four week-long modules: Week 1: Learn how GIS grew from paper maps to the globally integrated electronic software packages of today. You will install ArcGIS on your computer and learn how to use online help to answer technical questions. Week 2: Open up ArcGIS and explore data using ArcMap. Learn the...
7. Core Spatial Data Analysis: Introductory GIS with R and QGIS
Become Proficient In Spatial Data Analysis Using R & QGIS By Working On A Real Project - Get A Job In Spatial Data!...
8. Spatial Analysis and Geospatial Data Science With Python
Learn how to process and visualize geospatial data and perform spatial analysis using Python...
9. Data Science Immersive (Full-time)
Harness the power of data science to solve the world’s most challenging problems by developing your skills in predictive modeling, pattern recognition, data visualization, wrangling massive data sets, forecasting trends, and informing strategy across diverse industries like public policy, robotics, and FinTech...
10. Data Analytics (Part Time)
Harness Excel, SQL, and Tableau to drive powerful analysis and insights. Build confidence and credibility to apply this versatile skill set to countless jobs. This course is offered in person and live online, in a remote classroom setting...
11. Intro to Machine Learning with PyTorch
Learn foundational machine learning techniques -- from data manipulation to unsupervised and supervised algorithms...
12. Full Stack Web Developer
Design and develop modern web applications.Students will also learn how to deploy a Flask-based web application to the cloud using Docker and Kubernetes...
13. GIS, Mapping, and Spatial Analysis
This Specialization is for those new to mapping and GIS, as well as anyone looking to gain a better understanding of how it all works and why. You will learn practical skills that can be applied to your own work using cutting-edge software created by Esri Inc., the world's leading GIS company and our industry partner.\n\nPLEASE NOTE: THE SOFTWARE IS NO LONGER PROVIDED WITH THIS COURSE. YOU WILL HAVE TO OBTAIN IT ON YOUR OWN...
14. GIS Data Formats, Design and Quality
In this course, the second in the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Specialization, you will go in-depth with common data types (such as raster and vector data), structures, quality and storage during four week-long modules: Week 1: Learn about data models and formats, including a full understanding of vector data and raster concepts. You will also learn about the implications of a data’s scale and how to load layers from web services. Week 2: Create a vector data model by using vector...
15. Introduction to web programming for GIS applications
Understanding web programming fundamentals focused on geospatial applications using Leaflet, Turf.js, and Post GIS...
16. ArcGIS Desktop For Spatial Analysis: Go From Basic To Pro
Spatial Data Analysis With Arc GIS Desktop: Master GIS Techniques and Open Doors to Amazing Geospatial Careers...
17. Data Science (Part Time)
Create robust predictive models with statistics and Python programming. Build confidence and credibility to tackle complex machine learning problems on the job. This course is offered in person and live online, in a remote classroom setting...
18. Python Programming (Part Time)
Gain fluency in Python — the world's fastest-growing major programming language — and start leveraging its versatile capabilities to build web and data science applications. This course is offered in person and live online, in a remote classroom setting...
19. Data Structures and Algorithms
Get hands-on practice with over 80 data structures and algorithm exercises and guidance from a dedicated mentor to help prepare you for interviews and on-the-job scenarios...
20. Data Visualization
You will start by building data visualizations and dashboards, considering your audiences to be as effective as possible. Then, you’ll move into drafting presentations using storytelling techniques, visualizations, and animations to provide data-driven recommendations...
Top 10 most affordable universities for gis analysts
The most affordable schools for gis analysts are Hunter College of the City University of New York, university of florida, and brigham young university.
If the best universities for gis analysts are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for gis analysts.
1. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
2. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
3. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
4. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
5. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
6. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
7. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
8. California State University - Fullerton
Fullerton, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,886
Cost of attendance
17,645
9. USF St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,821
Cost of attendance
19,849
10. Lehman College of the City University of New York
Bronx, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,210
Cost of attendance
14,359
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for gis analysts
The hardest universities for gis analysts to get into are Northwestern University, Johns Hopkins University, and University of California, Berkeley.
Some great schools for gis analysts are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for gis analysts based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
2. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
3. University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,448
4. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
Admissions rate
9%
SAT average
1,516
5. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
6. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
7. Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH • Private
Admissions rate
9%
SAT average
1,488
8. University of Chicago
Chicago, IL • Private
Admissions rate
7%
SAT average
1,520
9. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
10. Colgate University
Hamilton, NY • Private
Admissions rate
25%
SAT average
1,443
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for gis analysts
The easiest schools for gis analysts to get into are William Paterson University of New Jersey, mount saint mary's university, and sonoma state university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a gis analyst without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for gis analysts.
1. William Paterson University of New Jersey
Wayne, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
994
2. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
3. Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
1,072
4. San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA • Private
Admissions rate
72%
SAT average
1,054
5. Curry College
Milton, MA • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
1,026
6. Saint Joseph's College of Maine
Standish, ME • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,069
7. Thomas More University
Crestview Hills, KY • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
1,099
8. Central Washington University
Ellensburg, WA • Private
Admissions rate
78%
SAT average
1,062
9. Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, MN • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
1,086
10. California University of Pennsylvania
California, PA • Private
Admissions rate
97%
SAT average
1,007
Average gis analyst salary by education level
| Gis analyst education level | Gis analyst salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $71,429 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $65,113 |
| Doctorate Degree | $70,869 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $57,516 |
Gis analyst education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025